Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Appendicitis inside a hernia after kidney removal surgery
By Walisinghe LR et al.·2026·Department of General Surgery, Australia·View original on Europe PMC →
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Original publication title: Retroperitoneal appendicitis within a posterior abdominal wall incisional hernia secondary to a right nephrectomy: a first incidence case report.
Plain-English summary
In this unusual case, a 65-year-old woman who had previously undergone surgery to remove her right kidney developed appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) that was trapped in a hernia at the site of her old surgery. She experienced pain that moved from her side to her belly button and had signs of inflammation in her blood tests. A special imaging test called a CT scan showed the problem, and she had surgery to remove the appendix and repair the hernia at the same time. After the surgery, her recovery went well, with only a small fluid collection that was treated without further issues. The tests on the removed tissue confirmed that she had appendicitis, and this case is important because it shows a new way that appendicitis can occur.
Abstract
Appendiceal herniation is rare and typically described in inguinal or femoral hernias. Retroperitoneal appendicitis within a nephrectomy incisional hernia has not previously been reported. A 65-year-old woman with a history of flank approach right nephrectomy presented with migratory flank-to-umbilical pain and raised inflammatory markers. Computed tomography demonstrated acute appendicitis herniating through a posterolateral abdominal wall defect at the prior nephrectomy site. She underwent open appendicectomy via the original flank incision, followed by single-stage hernia repair using biological mesh. Postoperative recovery was uncomplicated apart from a small conservatively managed seroma, and histopathology confirmed acute appendicitis. This case highlights a previously undescribed presentation of appendicitis and underscores the importance of individualized operative planning when considering concurrent hernioplasty in a potentially contaminated field.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Europe PMC: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41694440